BRITISH RACING TO PARTNER WITH UK GOVERNMENT FOR BREEDERS’ CUP MISSION
British Racing joins forces with the Department for Business and Trade at the 2023 Breeders’ Cup World Championships this autumn to deliver the Government’s first trade mission centred around the horseracing industry, promoting and enabling business in the USA market for a select number of UK-based companies within the racing and sports economy sector.
USA investors – owners, breeders and trainers – are strongly engaged in British racing and bloodstock, with more than 130 American owners registered in Britain and buyers spending around £30million at British bloodstock sales annually.
Led by Great British Racing International (GBRI) and in partnership with Ascot Racecourse, The Jockey Club and UK Tote Group, the trade mission represents the first time the British Racing industry has collaborated on a large-scale international event with the support of Government demonstrating the value of UK sport as a crucial soft power tool.
The four-day programme starts with a Welcome Reception on the evening of Wednesday, 1st November. Hosted by UK Government and sponsored by Ascot Racecourse and The Jockey Club, it will provide an opportunity for senior industry representatives from across racing including British horsemen and women competing in the Breeders' Cup World Championships to meet the trade mission delegation, valued owners and other international investors.
The following three days will offer a business development programme for trade delegates and see British Racing play host in a dedicated hospitality area within Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California, where the 40th anniversary of the Breeders’ Cup will be staged.
The Breeders’ Cup is an annual hunting ground for Britain’s trainers, showcased by the 23 competitors representing 15 British trainers at last year’s meeting. There have been multiple success stories in recent years, with five British trainers represented in the winner’s enclosure over the last five renewals of the event, most recently Newmarket-based Charlie Appleby, who scored a hat-trick for Godolphin at the meeting last year.
Running alongside the programme will be the 2nd Edition of the World Tote Association (WoTA) Forum, which UK Tote Group co-chairs alongside ATG, on Thursday, 2nd November in nearby Pasadena. The World Tote Association brings together Tote/parimutuel betting operators from around the world to promote and support the horseracing industry in a socially responsible and sustainable manner.
All official trade mission delegates will be selected by the Department for Business and Trade. Organisations interested in applying can do so here by deadline 31st July.
UK Minister for Exports, Department for Business and Trade, Lord Offord said:
“Horseracing makes a hugely important contribution to the UK economy and offers exciting export and investment opportunities, so it is fantastic that we are pioneering the first horseracing trade mission at the Breeders’ Cup in November.
“The Breeders’ Cup offers us the chance to showcase the UK’s expertise on a global stage – and hopefully see more British success on the track.”
Rod Street, Chief Executive of Great British Racing International, added:
“This initiative, in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade and key industry stakeholders, will give British Racing a prime opportunity to showcase our world-leading credentials across various disciplines on the world stage. As well as facilitating discussions around UK exports, we will be looking to identify and drive opportunities for investment across our industry.
“We also hope that the event will demonstrate to the wider UK Government that there is much to be gained by supporting and working more closely with the industry, in various capacities.
“GBRI has developed a close working relationship with DBT over the last two years and this is an excellent example of what our work in this area has yielded for the industry. We would like to thank the team at DBT for their enthusiasm and support for British racing; Ascot Racecourse and The Jockey Club for their kind sponsorship of the Welcome Reception as well as the Breeders’ Cup for their assistance with the raceday elements of the programme.”